On Monday America’s oldest oak tree – located in a New Jersey Presbyterian churchyard – was felled, bringing an end to a life that had spanned 600 years. Yes, it hadn’t reached the age of […]
The Alternative Science Digest
Normally this space is reserved for the weekly digest, updating you on what’s new in science. However, this week we thought we’d reserve the column space for a slightly different meaning to the word digest… […]
Top Scientific Breakthroughs of 2016
December is here; it’s the season of good will and a perfect time to reflect on the year so far. Well, all things considered, 2016 has been an undeniable big ol’ pile of shi… faecal […]
What’s new in science this week?
Mathematicians grind out the perfect Cuppa: Researchers from the University of Limerick and the University of Portsmouth have developed complex calculations to help optimise the perfect cup of coffee. The research quantifies how the exact grain […]
What’s new in science this week?
Urban Forestry Reduces City Pollution: Urban air pollution is a deep rooted problem in cities, however according to a recent study, planting trees could prove to be a cost-effective option for tackling it. The Nature Conservancy […]
CAP subsidy: A constant cause of agro
Canadian poet and novelist, Brian Brett, once penned “farming is a profession of hope.” What was once a perfectly pertinent – if not overly idealistic – overview of farming, has now become very much outdated. […]
The Death of Boaty McBoatface
If you didn’t already know, the newest of Britain’s polar research ships is to be called the RRS Sir David Attenborough; a distinguished title indeed, but certainly much less fun than Boaty McBoatface. Of course […]
The Wizards of Oz
“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” It took a tornado to whisk Dorothy away to the fictional world of Oz – and a pair of magic red shoes to bring her back […]
The generation game of scientific research
“With age comes wisdom”. The timeless words penned by Oscar Wilde have offered comfort to those afraid of the approaching ailments of old age, the loss of hair, hearing and beauty. However, a recent study […]
The Caffeine Diaries – My Brewed Awakening
‘Decaf is like masturbating with an oven mitt.’ Not my words, but those of the late, great Robin Williams. Words that resonate with coffee drinkers everywhere, and until recently, words that I never truly appreciated. […]
The Growing Challenge – World on the Breadline
It’s Sunday morning, you’re worse for wear and it’s taken all of your effort to leave the comfort of your bed and make your way to the kitchen. On inspection, what are you greeted with? […]
Rewilding Britain: hungry for a home
The idea of wolves wandering a windswept landscape is one straight out of a George. R. R. Martin novel, an image now synonymous with the northern reaches of Westeros and the Starks of Winterfell. However, […]